PREPARE OR ELSE…–Part 2: Overcoming Obstacles with Supplements– “THE HOLY GRAIL!”

 First is WELLNESS  FORMULA.  A powerful herb combination, and antioxidants known to provide energy, protection from stress, and support for the immune system.  Normally I take 1-2 twice a day, depending on how tough the day is.   If you begin feeling imbalances in your well-being (like  coming down with a cold, flu, etc.) you should take 3-6 capsules of the WELLNESS FORMULA every 3 hours.  So you should have an extra bag of these for emergencies

 First is WELLNESS FORMULA.  A powerful herb combination, and antioxidants known to provide energy, protection from stress, and support for the immune system.  Normally I take 1-2 twice a day, depending on how tough the day is.   If you begin feeling imbalances in your well-being (like  coming down with a cold, flu, etc.) you should take 3-6 capsules of the WELLNESS FORMULA every 3 hours.  So you should have an extra bag of these for emergencies

 Next is STRESSCARE Another herbal multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant and immune system support specifically when under physical stress such as backpacking. When working or backpacking I take 2 twice a day.  

 Then comes CHORELLA   a super food considered the secret of longevity among some of the oldest people on earth. Click on it to learn more.

CoQ10   It is a vitamin-like compound essential component of cells and is necessary for mitochondrial energy production. Years of research has shown that CoQ10 supports healthy cardiovascular and immune system functions in addition to its vital role in energy production. I take one in the morning and another mid-day when backpacking.

 VITAMIN D3  is another crucial nutrient, especially for older individuals where natural levels of nutrients are lower than they should be.  It is necessary for bone health, immune wellness and plays a crucial regulatory role for many bodily processes.

 DHEA This is the “Mother hormone” for both men and women as it converts into whatever hormone the body needs and is essential to keep your body in proper balance. Some have called it “the fountain of youth,” levels of which are known to fall precipitously with age, and with low levels common among those who suffer from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and chronic fatigue. I take just one 100 mg capsule to begin the day.  

SUPER B-COMPLEX with vitamin C and Folic Acid – B-vitamins help convert food into energy—obviously crucial for a backpackers and others involved in intense physical activity. I take one each morning


NOW TO MORE ATHLETIC SUPPLEMENTS  

Above you see me in 2003 leaving on my 27 day “expedition” with 81 pounds on my back and around my waist.  A mile down the trail I added 2 lbs. of water (1 quart).  This was a monumental effort similar to doing a a half-marathon a day, and sometimes a marathon  for 27 days and 236 miles.  This required special conditioning and athletic nutrition without which it would have been a nightmare.
I trained for it for years on my farm in Guatemala doing 4 miles of rolling hills 2-3 times a week with a 100 lb. bag of fertilizer on my back.  If you’re not willing to train big time, don’t attempt it!


As you might have noticed I approach backpacking (and the work I do at Reams) as I did running a half-marathon.  It could be argued that carrying a 30-50 lb. pack at elevations over 10,000 ft.for 5-6 miles  is actually more difficult than running a 13 mile half marathon.  So you should approach it, and its recovery each day similarly. Below are a few glimpses of the challenge.

Freshman orientation from Earlham College, Indiana on their 19 day backpack trip in the Uintas.

 The Scott’s on the trail to Middle Basin up the trail from Christmas Meadows
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 Mahana climbing East Grandaddy Mountain for the view of a lifetime.

 Bushed  after a backpacking day equivalent to running a marathon!


You need marathoner’s supplements to do it right and enjoy it.

  ENDUROX-EXCEL builds endurance, increases fat metabolism, and helps maintain healthy immune function. One investigation showed it to increase a marathoner’s performance by around 15%. I find myself clearly more alert and energetic taking 2 tablets each morning just before going to work, or beginning my hike for the day..

 ENDUROX  R4 –  this is a carbohydrate Protein formula usually used for recovery and “coming back stronger.”  I mix it in the morning (on the trail only the powder with no water in my mixer bottle) to add water half-way through my day at lunch time to begin the recovery process for the remainder of the day, and another one on finishing hiking for the day for recovery. .  To the Endurox I add Calciumn/Magnesium as explained above, and also extra Glutamine as mentioned below. 

 SPORTLEGS  is designed to support your body’s lactate energy system  to help minimize muscle soreness.  When backpacking I take three to begin the day and two on finishing the day’s hike to help recover and eliminate muscle soreness.

 NO VITAMIN/SUPPLEMENT BOTTLES – of course I don’t take backpacking all these bottles and containers I’ve been showing you, but have a bunch of labled  Ziploc bags for each take, plus a few extra of certain key supplements for when I might need to increase the dose, such as with WELLNESS and COD LIVER OIL.

UPDATE:  April 20, 2012  A few days ago I had Dr. Richard Jackson, who had done my knee replacement, check me out.  His X-rays revealed the problem was with my lower back, two vertebra’s squeezed together and  pinching the nerve causing pain down my leg.  The next day they did an MRI on my back, it all boiling down to me having what they called:  “degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.”  That translated to High Uinta geezer English is:  “I’m a worn out old guy!”
So apparently the shrapnel wound doesn’t have anything to do with it.


I’m down for a day or two, but far from  out  as this morning I was seen by Dr. Joseph Richey and given a shot of cortisone at the tail end of my spine that will have me by Monday hustling around Reams Supermarket and preparing for my High Uintas Project with Friday-Sunday off  each week  from now until August to do research in all the areas surrounding the Uintas, and then in August  peck away at the 4 adventurous trips outlined in Part 1 of this series on Backpacking.  
However I will persist using D-Rebose as it sounds like a perfect addition to keep this old geezer from “giving in” and plow forward  until the job is done.